National Republican., 1887-08-23
A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Living In Suburban splondor at Wash.
ington Grove.


The science Of evolution is no less true of
camp meetings than 1t is Of nature, and is
possibly less strikingly illustrated In nature
than IN that great and cherished Methodist
institution. A reporter for the REPUBLI-
CAN, having In mind the traditions of his
youth, pictured q collection OF more or less
homely tents pitched on a rising knoll in
some grove Of trees near a living spring OF
transcendental clearness and unsurpassed
coolness and general air Of country life,
boarded au afternoon train Saturday for
short visit to Washington Grove, the sum
mer home of Washington Methodism and
the scene OF its annual camp meeting SER
vices. Judge OF his astonshment when he
landed In o modern suburban village but to
be told the camp meeting was In progress
there.
A close inspection revealed few-vory
few-tents, enough to lend q picturesque
shading to the general contour of the beau
tiful little cottages, whose generally open
doors invited look upon most delight
ful scene of home comfort and the lesser,
though tasty, luxuries OF q city life.
general air OF pleasure and contentment
prevailed, the whole forming picture not
soon to be forgotten by the impressonable.
After supper at. the hotol (auother odd
but comfortable addition to Eye ancient
camp'') the tolling OF a bell announced the
closing service Of the week In the taber-
nacle, upon which goodly number waited.
The Rev. j. A. Price preached sermon
upon the text, "Is your heart rightf" His
remarks alternated with brilliant intellec-
tual efforts and melting appeals to the
heart. He stated that all historians, sacred
and profane, united In the statement that
the life of Christ was truly perfect one,
and marvellous in the extreme, aud argue |
that this tribute to the Saviour's purity
must have been merited, or 1t would never
have been accorded. He claimed that II a
mans heart as all right his temporal wei.
fare was assured and his eternal destiny
guaranteed. DR.. Price closed with an old
time camp meeting exhortation.
At this service the singing was OF those
| tunes which bring up the memories OF ones
| youth, and are associated by all with wOr-
| ship In the woods.
At night stroll about the grounds was
| constant delight. The heads Of families,
| likes Abraham Of old, sat at the doors OF
| their respective tents or cottages aud
| chatted unreservedly on topics OF the day
| and religious matters, while gallant youth
| str, lied off with winsome maid, making
| love in much the same way their fathers
| did "just as Of old.n They must needs do
| their counting on Saturday night, since the
1
| the more obtrusive, though none the less
| vehement, lovers from the country, whlch
| they did, and, careless OF observers, on tue
morrow rustic Darby and Joan walked
hand In hand about the streets, and soft
eyes looked love to eyes that spake again
and all went merry as any number OF mar
riage bells or jangling chimes.
As the hours heightened lights went out
as though In regular order, and nightly
prayers could be heard from here and there
around some family altars, and then
silbouettes appeared upon the walls of the
divers tents until the lights In them, too,
were extinguished. Human noises ceased
that one was In the country SURE
enough the insects Of the night manifested
with their varied sounds, and the reporter
was charmed to sleep by the novelty Of his
surroundings.
The Sabbath dawned clear aud glorious,
and the city scribe renewed an ancient ac-
quaintaDce with a rising sun, whose ap
pearance revived memories that had slumb
cred years.
The servic ces Of this day were not unde
the auspices Of the Camp Meeting AS
sociation, but the preacher attached to tht
grounds, the Rev. Albert Zimmerman,
student Of divinity who returns 10 Dickin
son College, Pa, In September, conducted
| services Of song and praife, which attracted
| all the campers and immrnse numbers o
people from the surrounding country, ther,
being not less than 500 teams OF the varle,
kinds seen only at county court, cam
meeting, or country fair.
At the morning service the music wa
rich and full, and beautiful 10 hear, but a
night 1t was wierdly grand, and must lngc
| in the minds Of those fortunate enough q
hear 1t long after other thoughts have fale
away, and one enthusiast said he wa
positive 1t was such music as he woul
1 han, hao hal ioe yalt NJ,
pearly gates OF his hearts desire. Ia
music was nearly all new TO the reporter
1t being from Sam Jones's "Gre4
| Awakener," but great was bis astouishmen
and greater was his delight, at helrn
some of the grand old home melodies use
with sacred words. Among such We,
'Swanee River" "Old Kentucky Home
(somewhat altered), and "Little Old LD
Cabin,n Others were altogether new, saw
one, "Almost Persuaded and that too
on a NEW meaning as 1t was sun
gs u solo and chorus, Miss Lizzie Ma.
| nichol, of this city, sustaining the solo &
only an accomplished artist can. Far bac
from the center Of the tabernacle, a5ov
the tuneful voices of the congregation
could be heard q clear and beautiful tenC
| voice that raised above the melodies unt
the very arches rang again, causing head
to be turned in amazed wonder, for such
voice is usually raised only in grand opera
and it seldom falls to the lot of humanity
listen to such strains without money an
| while at worship. A glance revealed IL
face and form OF well-known operat
singer Of this city, Mr.. Frank Baxter WI
modestly hung his head and blushed at th
furore be created. But the artist prevailed
J and his trained voice added much, togetht
, with that of Miss Macnichol, to heighten @
|, otherwise beautiful effect. 1t seemed
though the very trees bowed their tops
drink In the sound, only to watt 1t back
their less fortunate fellows further of, au
{ they In turn softly returned 1t from whent
, II came as echo at the close Of each vers
, The Infinite was there, and the acme
religious happiness was felt by all; tea
and smiles followed In quick successit
upon the cheeks Of singers and llstene
alike.
After a pathetic appeal from the paste
to the unconver,ed for change to thi
better life the great audience slowly di
persed, but to quickly gather again at di
ferent houses In little knots to sing.
The center of attraction was Mr.. Dyer
7 cottage on Park Place, and there 1t W
( developed that Mr.. Zimmerman not on
was good preacher, but that he possess,
rich, though fine, tenor voice. From a
over the grounds came snatches OF swe
: music until nearly midnight, which gra
/. ually gave way to the usual nightly SOUND
e when nature again assumed control, Al
3 all was still. j. LAC. r.
- A Prize in the Lottery
Il Of life which is usually unappreciated until
I N ttaHn "a haal B